AZOSA October 2016 Book Review

 

Evolution 2.0: The 21st Century Insights That Unravel Neo-Darwinism

 

By Richard W. Stevens

 

          Long time members of AzOSA may recall seeing a presentation about eight years ago that introduced a new critique of evolution theory. The talk’s main points: (1) if you find a code, such as in a coded message along with a key to decode it, then you have found evidence of an intelligent purposeful actor; (2) software (a series of encoded instructions) is needed to operate any hardware, biological or otherwise; and, (3) you cannot successfully modify software using random mutation and natural selection. These concepts had few advocates at that time.

          A renowned computer engineer and entrepreneur, Perry Marshall, has written a book, Evolution 2.0, detailing his exploration of the theory of evolution. As a Christian, he felt acutely challenged by materialism’s claim to have proved that life arose by unguided natural forces, thus making God unnecessary or non-existent. He began his inquiry not sure how the issue would be resolved.

          Quite unaware of the AZOSA presentation on the subject, Marshall examined evolution from the computer and communications systems viewpoint. His book delivers the results of his extensive analysis:  (1) There is no unguided natural (physical or chemical) process that can produce a code along with its encoder and decoder devices; (2) DNA is code and is part of a software system; (3) DNA must therefore be the result of purposeful intelligent design.  

          It is high time the concepts of computers and communications systems come to bear upon origin science. When computer science occupied a highly-technical niche in society, it would not translate easily to non-scientists. Nowadays, Americans and most modern people know something about computers and communications. Terms yesterday arcane are today commonplace: CPU, disk, memory, modem, hardware, software, software “bugs,” security checks and encryption, and so much more. Megabytes, megabits per second, and CPU processor speeds rates are terms found on retail store product wrappers. So, educated people of the current generations can readily understand Marshall’s discussion.

DNA Code Cannot Randomly Mutate Successfully

          Writers occupying the “evolution is a proven fact” camp led by Richard Dawkins continue to assert the Neo-Darwinist theory that Marshall dubs “Evolution 1.0”: random mutation + natural selection + time = evolution. The weakest link in that formula is “random mutation,” for two main reasons.

          First, DNA is code. No known unguided physical force can produce a code – and certainly not a code system with the matching encoder and decoder devices. When you find a code system, you have found the product of intelligent design.^,

          Marshall, like Stephen Meyer, William Dembski and many others, observes that DNA must be designed. He also shows the cellular systems that encode, decode, and use DNA’s information must likewise be designed. DNA is not random and is not the result of random anything.

          Second, Marshall shows the whole notion of “random mutation” of DNA is defective. The Neo-Darwinists contend that mutations result from random, undirected, external accidents. Outside chemicals, ionizing radiation, and reproduction errors are chiefly credited for causing changes in DNA that produce mutant results. Evolution 1.0 says that unfavorable mutations occur frequently, but exceedingly-rare favorable mutations occurring over hundreds or thousands of generations will accumulate to create species having advantageous new features and functions.

          Traditional creation science criticizes Evolution 1.0 by pointing out the lack of any real-time examples of such slow but successful random mutation, the lack of evidence of new species evolving, and the myriad defects in the fossil record as documented in Stephen Meyer’s Darwin’s Doubt.

          In contrast, Evolution 2.0 draws instead from modern knowledge of systems. Marshall details how DNA and interacting cellular structures operate like computer systems and communication networks. As any engineer knows, computer-based systems cannot be modified successfully by random mutation. Neither can biological systems be randomly improved. Marshall compares cell system operations to word processing software:

Just like your computer, cells carry a sophisticated array of tools for reading, writing, editing, and processing DNA. Each tool must be applied at the proper time and at the right layer; otherwise information is destroyed and birth defects result.

 

Non-Random Evolution Defines a New Paradigm

          Neo-Darwinism simply cannot survive the code systems challenge. Before Evolution 2.0 was published, several articles in Salvo Magazine revealed new ways to find evidence of intelligent design in codes, software, and sex.

          Although Marshall briefly addresses Stephen Meyer’s 2013 book, Darwin’s Doubt, he does not mention how Meyer’s Signature in the Cell in 2009 earlier established beyond serious question that DNA is a code and must have been designed. That omission is consistent with Marshall’s implicit treatment of the ID movement as a species of “creationism,” even though Marshall explains how ID differs from religious creationism. That omission is forgivable; Evolution 2.0 independently confirms Meyer’s thesis that DNA was originally designed, citing many evolutionary biologists’ publications as support.

Still to Explore: Biological Control Software

          Evolution 2.0, like Signature in the Cell and so many other books acknowledging intelligent design of DNA, hints at the next threshold but does not cross it: biological operational software. Since Darwin, the discussion about how species arose has focused upon their physical features: body parts, bones, organs, limbs, etc. But, as Marshall writes: “It’s not nearly enough to have hardware. You have to have software, too.” He is right.

          Evolution 2.0 does refute Evolution 1.0 using the code systems analysis, but the book falls short of addressing the question of biological software origin and modification. Marshall shows “random mutation” cannot produce evolution of all of the species’ observable body parts and processes. The argument against “random mutation” is stronger than Marshall’s point, however. No known combination of undirected material forces and elements can create – or modify – the software required to operate the modified physical structures. Whether the new organ or limb occurs by neo-Darwinian processes or by in-built cellular intelligence as Marshall suggests, there must exist software in the mutated species to make the new feature work.

          Fact is, software programs subjected to even minor random edits almost always give useless results or don’t run at all. Unguided modification of software kills the software.  There is no reason to suppose biological software – whether for operating hardware, searching for food, or engaging in mating rituals – can be modified successfully by random changes.

          Consider an example. The neo-Darwinian view currently says reptiles evolved by random mutation and natural selection into birds. Evolution 2.0 might posit that reptiles evolved into birds via intelligent decisions made by cells within reptiles or via some kind of species-hybrid event. Both explanations say nothing about how the cells created software by which the mutated reptile could successfully use the wings to fly. Neither of these evolution theories addresses how either random or intelligent cell processes conceive of software or modify software to adapt the animal to the new hardware.

          Standing upon his unquestionable engineering and systems design expertise, Marshall’s Evolution 2.0 confirms that 21st Century understanding of codes, languages, and software renders the neo-Darwinian Evolution 1.0 model hopelessly out of date.

          Evolution 2.0 is written engagingly with an appropriate blend of technological terms and plain speaking. The book includes highlights of Marshall’s intellectual journey and how he dealt with the avalanche of often-hateful criticism for making his ideas public on a website and blog. For people interested in the issues of origins and whether the neo-Darwinian evolution model can remain viable, Evolution 2.0 is a must read.     

ENDNOTES

 

Richard W. Stevens, “Code Systems Evidence A Creator and Declare the Glory of God,” Lutheran Science Institute Journal (Vol. 30, No. 1, 2016).

 

Werner W. Gitt, In the Beginning Was Information: A Scientist Explains the Incredible Design in Nature (United States: New Leaf Publishing Group, 2006). (Full text of 2000 version here.)

 

Stephen C. Meyer, Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design (New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2013).

 

Richard W. Stevens, “Gandalf on Mars: What Bleeping Codes Say About Intelligent Design,” Salvo Magazine (Issue 15, Winter 2010), pp. 42-45.

 

Richard W. Stevens, “Biological Software: Darwin Can’t Connect Your iPod to a Printer,” Salvo Magazine (Issue 19, Winter 2011), pp. 46-48.

 

Richard W. Stevens, “Sex: The Software of Springtime,” Salvo Magazine (Issue 25, Spring 2013), pp. 46-49.

 

Stephen C. Meyer, Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design (United States: HarperCollins Publishers, 2009).

 

Donald E Johnson, Programming of Life (United States: Big Mac Publishers, 2010).

 

Richard W. Stevens, “Can Evolution Make New Biological Software?”, Creation Research Soc’y Qtly (Summer 2009), pp. 17-24.